Gamm Theatre Continues Season 27 with Hamlet

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) continues Season 27 with Hamlet, William Shakespeare's famously timeless tale of murder and revenge. Gamm Resident Director FrEd Sullivan, Jr. helms a company of seasoned Gamm resident artists and talented newcomers in an exhilarating production full of humor and humanity.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by FrEd Sullivan, Jr.
November 3-December 11
Shakespeare's greatest and most famous tragedy about the melancholy prince Hamlet of Denmark, caught in a quandary about whether to seek revenge against his father's presumed murderer-the man who now sits on the throne and shares his mother's bed! The Gamm revisits and reinvigorates its critically acclaimed 1997 production, reuniting Resident Director FrEd Sullivan, Jr. with Artistic Director Tony Estrella in the title role and Sam Babbitt as Polonius for another "unforgettable" Hamlet.
"A Hotspur Hamlet, one that is fierce and funny and pointed." -Providence Journal, 1997
"Hamlet gets an unforgettable production: lean, precise and not a bit self-indulgent in plumbing the depths of the brooding Dane's soul. ...Brilliant, compelling theater." -Providence Phoenix, 1997

Hamlet runs from November 3 through December 11 at The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, RI. Tickets are $34 and $42 (depending on day/time), preview and press performances (Nov. 3-7) only $25. Discounts for subscribers, groups of 10 or more, seniors and students. For tickets call 401-723-4266 or go to gammtheatre.org.

Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella, who made his Gamm Theatre (then Alias Stage) debut as a 26-year-old Hamlet upon graduating from Trinity Rep Conservatory, noted the significance of this re-staging.

"The 1997 production was a landmark for the company, as it ushered in a 14-year relationship with Shakespeare that comes full circle with this reinvention of Hamlet. Our intimately epic approach to his work has been at the foundation of our identity since the first Hamlet read-through at Fred's house all those years ago. It also marked the first collaboration between myself, Fred and the inimitable Sam Babbitt," Estrella said.

"That collaboration has been among the greatest joys of my professional life. The opportunity to revisit the greatest of plays with these two supreme artists and the rest of our terrific company and staff is a humbling and extraordinary privilege," he added. "Fourteen years older, and hopefully wiser, we are able to explore Hamlet from a new angle yielding, I think, an even richer understanding of Shakespeare's fathomless work of genius."

Hamlet is sponsored by Citizens Bank.

"Citizens Bank is proud to support The Gamm Theatre's production of Hamlet," said Ned Handy, President, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island. "The Gamm Theatre is a trademark Rhode Island arts institution and their production of this classic by William Shakespeare is sure to keep patrons at The Edge of their seat."

About this Production of Hamlet

By William Shakespeare
Directed by FrEd Sullivan, Jr.

Set Design by Patrick Lynch
Costume Design by Marilyn Salvatore
Lighting Design by Matthew Terry
Fight Choreography by Normand Beauregard
Stage Management by Jessica Hill*
Assistant Stage Management by Stef Work*

CAST
Hamlet, Tony Estrella*
Polonius, Sam Babbitt*
Claudius, Steve Kidd*
Laertes, Kelby T. Akin*
Gertrude, Jeanine Kane*
Horatio, Marc Dante Mancini
Rosencrantz, Ben Gracia
Guildenstern/Fransisco, Joe Short
Ophelia, GillIan Williams*
Player Queen/Attendant, Joan Batting
Ghost/First Player/First Gravedigger, Tom Gleadow*
Fortinbras/Barnardo, Tom Denucci
Player/Priest/Sailor, David Tessier
Osric, Richard Noble
Marcellus/Lucianus/
Captain/Second Gravedigger, Vince Petronio

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Production Manager/Props Master, Jessica Hill; Music Director/Sound, David Tessier; Dramaturge, Jennifer Madden; Production/Wardrobe Assistant, Helen R. Brennan

CALENDAR OF PERFORMANCES

November
Thursday, Nov. 3 preview at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 preview at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5 preview at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 6 preview at 7 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 7 press at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.*
Sunday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. New!
Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. New!
Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
(Thursday, Nov. 24 No Performance)
Friday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.
December
Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.

*Followed by humanities discussion
About The Gamm Theatre
Founded in 1984 as Alias Stage, the non-profit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre creates the finest of live theater, engaging the audience intensely in current and recurrent issues of consequence. The Gamm further serves the public with educational outreach programming designed to support the theatrical experience, and help sustain and enhance the intellectual and cultural life of its community. The Gamm is a member of New England Area Theatre (NEAT), a bargaining unit of the Actors Equity Association.

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